The 2012 Splash Festival promises four days of fun in Nelson Mandela Bay, with a mix of local, national and international acts, as well as plenty of action in the water.
“We are proud to once again host the largest water sports festival on the African continent – which reinforces our position as the Watersports Capital of Africa,” says Nelson Mandela Bay executive Mayor Zanoxolo Wayile.
“During the 2012 Splash Festival, our beaches will be transformed into a vibrant water-sports and entertainment hub. There is something special about the Splash Festival. Not only is it one of the longest running city festivals in the world, but it capitalizes on the excellent weather over this period.
“It captures the late summer feel, before the winter season sets in,” he says.
This year’s fireworks promise to add “something special,” says Greg Moses of Go Big Events, which has been awarded the tender to organise and manage the 2012 Splash Festival.
Go Big has secured some of the country’s top artists, as well as an international group, which will bring a “festival atmosphere” to the beachfront.
There will be daily entertainment from Friday, April 6 through to Monday, April 9.
Moses is confident that Go Big Events will make the 2012 Splash a success.
“We are one of the most experienced events companies in Nelson Mandela Bay, having handled a large number of big events, including the Summer Season”.
Mayor Wayile emphasises that safety and security will be a top priority during the 2012 Splash. “We will be clamping down hard on drinking. The sea, crowds and drunkenness do not mix,” he says.
There will be two stages in the Hobie Beach area, with entertainment ranging from magic, circus and comedy acts through some of the Metro and country’s best bands and musicians.
“As requested by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, there is a heavy emphasis on local talent. One of the big attractions of the weekend will be a local ‘freestyle’ talent contest, which will be staged on Friday, April 6, from one in the afternoon,” he says.
Dancers, singers and D-Js from the Metro will all be able to strut their stuff on stage.
Artists on the main stage on Friday include Nombongo, Fohloza, Andile B, Marinus van Rooyen, Voet Tappers Band, Denzil Africa Band, Snotkop, and the Vernon Legends Band.
The action on the main stage will start at around noon, and continue until about 10:30 in the evening on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday’s highlights include the 6 Point Zero Band, Transformers, Shades of Blackness, Chapter 3, Eric Friends Band, Shoelace, Jay, DJ Cleo Teddy Bears, and Point 5.
There will also be a Little Miss Splash pageant and a body building competition.
Steff the Hypnotist will be performing on the second stage before the talent search.
Sunday takes on a carnival atmosphere, with Brazilian Group Napalma bringing the sounds of the Rio Festival to Port Elizabeth from 9:45 in the evening.
Warming up the main stage audience from noon will be acts such as AWOCD Minstrels Steff the Hypnotist, Dejavu Dance Group, Faye Gatley, Charmaine Allison, Cecil Peters Afromix, Mojazz, and Ernie Smith and Band.
Circus acts will thrill the crowds at the second stage from noon.
Entertainment on the Monday includes the Stone Band, Stuart Reece Band, Zonke, and Bellino the Magician.
Local singers will once again be given the opportunity to appear on stage in a Karaoke Open mike session from a quarter to one in the afternoon.
The fun will on Monday will wind down from around three fifteen.
